West Belfast Partnership 218-226 Falls Road Belfast BT12 6AH T: 02890809202 A Response to: Belfast On The Move Transport Masterplan for Belfast City Centre, Sustainable Transport Enabling Measures Issued by: Department of Regional Development November 2010
1.0 Introduction 1.1 The West Belfast Partnership Board welcomes the opportunity to respond to the DRD Belfast On the Move Transport Masterplan for Belfast City Centre consultation. The Partnership supports the Department s commitment to develop a sustainable transport system to serve the centre of Belfast which will focus on improved public transport provisions, improved facilities for walking and cycling and reducing the dominance of car travel. 1.2 The West Belfast Partnership Board is a coalition of interests, which seeks to involve everyone who works and lives within West Belfast in the task of generating economic, social, physical, cultural and educational development in an inclusive and accountable manner. Its aim is to improve the quality of life for West Belfast residents and to also contribute positively to the development of the city as a whole. 1.3 The Partnership seeks to do the following: Lobby on behalf of West Belfast to improve employment opportunities, investment and job creation for people living here. Raise awareness of the educational needs of our children, young people and adults, advocate for additional resources and provide west Belfast wide education programmes such as our Easter and summer schools. Influence government policy by actively representing the views and opinions of local people and organizations on a range of environmental issues including housing, leisure and play, planning and transport. Promote the development strategies and policies that work towards creating a healthier West Belfast. Assist the local community sector to lobby for resources, support and recognition for the valuable work they contribute to creating a better society in West Belfast. 1.4 In 2007 the Department for Social Development (DSD) contracted the West Belfast Partnership to develop the Strategic Regeneration Framework and Implementation Plan (The SRF). This plan defines West Belfast s needs and priorities in driving regeneration activity and investment and identifies that there is a need to develop well connected and well designed neighbourhoods, which enhance and preserve the long term sustainability and the beauty of the natural landscape. In the context of the regeneration of the physical and environmental landscape of West Belfast, the creation of sustainable transport solutions is identified as a strategic objective to take forward this planning and design agenda. The SRF sets out a further five recommendations in relation to the promotion of travel choice, through the encouragement of walking, cycling and public transport. The sustainable transport solutions identified in the SRF compliment the objectives of DRD in creating a sustainable transport system for Belfast City centre. 1.5 The SRF recognises the importance of making connections across West Belfast and indeed the wider city, through sustainable movement systems such as rapid transit provision. In 2007 DRD commissioned a consulting team consisting of Atkins and KPMG to undertake a feasibility study to examine possible routes and technology associated with the provision of rapid transit. The study concluded that a bus based rapid transit system presented the most viable option to the city. The study also built upon initial route proposals identified by the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan (CITI, EWAY and WWAY rapid transit schemes) and subsequently explored in further detail, a pilot
network of these three routes which would connect East Belfast, West Belfast and Titanic Quarter with and through the city centre. The West Belfast Partnership therefore warmly welcomes the proposed enabling measures which the City Centre Masterplan identifies, as these will not only provide a high degree of priority for existing bus services but also facilitate a circulatory routing pattern for rapid transit service to enter and leave the city centre as well as accommodating 5 halting stops. 1.6 The West Belfast Partnership has to date enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the DRD Rapid Transit Division, having met on several occasions to discuss the progression of the proposals affecting West Belfast. It is our intention to continue to proactively engage with the Department and we welcome the opportunity to provide comment on any proposals which will ensure the eventual implementation of a rapid transit system for West Belfast and the wider city. 2.0 Specific Comments on Proposals 2.1 The West Belfast Partnership welcome the identified enabling measures which allow the reorganisation of traffic management in the city centre to facilitate a reduction in general transport levels and encourage alternative transport solutions. We wish to commend the work which is currently being undertaken in Phase 1 of the Streets Ahead initiative. 2.2 We welcome the proposals to redistribute existing road space in the city centre which is at a premium and tailor it for use by public transport, taxis and cyclists. This will help to ensure that transport system for Belfast city centre is as efficient and forward thinking as that of its other UK and European counterparts. 2.3 We welcome proposals to re-route northbound traffic from Great Victoria Street onto Hope Street and Durnham Street and feel that this will help in alleviating traffic congestion along Great Victoria Street. However this should not be at the expense of local residents in this area. Every effort should me made to avoid disruption to their local amenity and a mechanism for ongoing engagement with these residents should be explored by the Department. The Partnership also believes that the introduction of the sustainable transport measures within the city centre offers a renewed opportunity to address the Barrack Street rat run problem. It is felt that priority must be given to this serious problem area with appropriate solutions explored in an attempt to alleviate this longstanding problem. The Partnership wishes to encourage the Department to explore the potential for greater access restrictions and enforcement measures to limit use of Barrack Street. 2.4 The Partnership also welcomes the provision of the newly created bus and cycle lanes which will enable a marked change in the car culture that currently dominates the city centre. The provision of new dedicated disabled and servicing parking lanes within the city centre is also supported as they will enable greater accessibility for those with a disability and delivery vehicles. 2.5 The Partnership notes that 5 rapid transit interchange halts have been identified within the city centre and would suggests that there is potential for more of these given the distance between the interchange halts (there are just 2 on the northern side of city hall). The lack of interchange halts may prove restrictive to passengers in the future and provisions should be made to identify appropriate sites for further provision.
3.0 Additional Comments 3.1 The West Belfast Partnership agree with the objectives of the master plan for Belfast but feel that it should also include reference to a shared future and the promotion of an accessible and inclusive city. 3.2 The West Belfast and Greater Shankill Jobs Taskforce report in 2002 recommended that the development of a rapid transit system that would improve the connections between west Belfast and the rest of the city, thus opening up employment, investment and leisure opportunities. In the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Taskforce Strategic Review in January 2007 the Partnership recommended that rapid transit be considered as part of the physical infrastructure developments. The proposed enabling measures set out in the Belfast On the Move consultation which identify 5 interchange halts represents a significant commitment by the Department in preparing the city centre for a new era of sustainable transit provision of which rapid transit will be the jewel in the crown. 3.5 In August 2008 the WBP completed a Strategic Regeneration Framework, which detailed the long term regeneration requirements for the west of the city. Improvements to infrastructure are a key feature and rapid transit for west Belfast represents a significant development that will act as a catalyst to other initiatives and have wider regeneration benefits. Community engagement 3.6 In the delivery of sustainable transport solutions and the eventual rapid transit system for west Belfast and indeed the wider city the West Belfast Partnership (WBP) would like to see robust community engagement. The success of the rapid transit as a sustainable transport solution in terms of uptake, community and citywide ownership will depend on the involvement of local communities the routes traversed. Rapid transit has the potential to link the most deprived communities to key employment, education, consumption sites, resources and services. Consideration needs to be given as to how rapid transit will secure support across our communities and the service perceived to belong to everyone. 3.7 Phased awareness-raising of rapid transit and a local information point of contact will provide a smooth delivery of the project. The WBP can support DRD with routes development through intense and targeted community engagement and advice on the effective promotion of rapid transit to the local communities. Maximising the regeneration impact, enhancing good relations 3.8 The WBP agrees with the Department that a thriving city centre requires a sustainable transport system and that this can act as a catalyst for future regeneration and prosperity within the city centre and beyond. In addition to the regenerative potential the WBP would like to highlight the important role that sustainable transport solutions have in contributing to good relations outcomes and breaking down the segregated nature of the city and perceptions of territory. This is critical and we would like to see the Department build in good relations objectives as part of the main objectives of the city centre master plan. We believe that reconnecting Belfast is critical to its success as a cohesive and competitive city. The introduction of a sustainable transport system is an opportunity to alter people s mind maps that have been shared by segregation and conflict. Segregation is connected to fear and restricts mobility in Belfast. People need to be able to move
around the city and access employment and leisure opportunities without compromising their safety. It is essential that the rapid transit does not exacerbate segregation and maximises its impact in those neighbourhoods which are located at the multiple interfaces across the city. 3.9 The Partnership would advocate for a holistic approach to transport to ensure the development of an integrated transport system that would include public realm developments and cycling and pedestrian networks. We would also urge the Department to taken into consideration the implications of city centre proposals for wider transportation initiatives such as Park-n-Ride and Car Share NI to ensure that city centre enabling measures add value to these wider transport initiatives. 4.0 Conclusions 4.1 The West Belfast Partnership has welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Departments consultation on the enabling measures associated with the development of a sustainable transport system for Belfast City Centre and have subsequently provided comment on a number of key issues which we hope the Department will consider. I hope you find these comments helpful and please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further clarification. Contact details: Geraldine McAteer Chief Executive Officer 218-226 Falls Road Belfast BT12 6AH 028 90 809 202